Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 21: "We are thinking of framing a separate law to regulate private cable TV services. We plan to restrict maximum monthly rental being charged by cable TV operators to their customers at Rs 130 per month," said state home minister, Dr G Parameshwar.

During the question hour, in reply to a question raised by JD(S) member, Puttanna, at the state legislative council on Monday March 20, the minister agreed that cable TV operators have been collecting charges much in excess of the rate fixed by the central government. He said that the government wants to protect the interests of the consumers by drafting a suitable law. The minister stated that a state level committee presided over the principal secretary in the department of information and public relations department, and district level committees headed by respective deputy commissioners have been formed as per the government order dated January 30, 2012, for monitoring implementation of Cable Television Network Act and Rules of 1995.

"As per the act, the central government has revised the monthly charges through an order dated march 3, 2017. In accordance with the revised rate, operators can charge Rs 130 per month for 100 channels and tax. For additional 25 SD channels, Rs 20 and tax can be collected additionally. The state and district level committees will be asked to ensure that cable charges are collected only as per the above provisions," he stated.

During the discussions which preceded the above statement, legislators from across all sections expressed apprehension about anti-social elements and mafia involved with cable TV distribution network. Puttanna pointed out that private agencies are collecting between Rs 150 to 600 per month from consumers, and that they also have been controlling sale of set top boxes. He said that because of oneupmanship within the cable TV operators, murders have also been happening now and then. Therefore he suggested to the government to enter the field of cable TV distribution.

Capt Ganesh Karnik of BJP also said that not a single meeting seems to have been held by state and district level committees formed in 2012. He said that mafia has been controlling this field, and although cables are drawn over power and telecom poles, government is not getting any revenue out of it. Therefore, he suggested to collect fee with fine from operators and also questioned the rationale of having a committee which does not meet.

Ivan D'Souza of Congress said cable monthly charges in Mangaluru are as high as Rs 600 in some localities. He pointed out that operators specifically direct consumers to buy set top boxes from particularl suppliers. He therefore favoured the system of distribution by government agency.

Ramesh Babu of JD(S) felt that taluk level committees, if formed, can be more effective as deputy commissioners are bogged down due to heavy workload. Jayamala of the Congress raised the topic of substandard set top boxes, and raised question marks DTH services controlled by multi-national companies.